Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly present in medical settings, offering new opportunities to alleviate administrative burdens that often limit patient interaction. At a hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School, AI tools are integrated into clinical practice, although their use by medical students remains restricted.

Medical students typically spend considerable time documenting patient histories, reviewing charts, and managing electronic medical records, tasks that frequently reduce their face-to-face time with patients. This administrative workload has contributed to physician burnout and decreased opportunities for building patient relationships. AI has the potential to reshape this dynamic by automating clerical tasks and allowing clinicians to focus on direct patient care.

In the hospital observed, supervising physicians use AI scribes like “Heidi” that record and transcribe patient visits, rapidly generating detailed and accurate records. Additionally, tools such as OpenEvidence—an AI platform designed to support medical decision-making—are common aids in clinical settings. Despite these advancements, students are generally prohibited from relying on AI during patient encounters or for note-taking, as educators emphasize the importance of developing foundational clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills independently.

Medical schools are beginning to incorporate AI education, though its integration varies. According to surveys, 77 percent of medical degree-granting institutions reported some form of AI coursework in 2024, but many students find the instruction insufficiently aligned with practical clinical needs. At Harvard Medical School, students have access to AI primarily for research and academic purposes, often through brief modules and informal workshops covering AI basics such as effective prompting and awareness of potential pitfalls like hallucinations.

Concerns among educators include unfamiliarity with AI and the fear that reliance on such tools could hinder the development of critical thinking and clinical judgement. The Association of American Medical Colleges is soon to release foundational AI competencies aimed at equipping future physicians with skills to use AI effectively, ethically, and safely in clinical contexts.

Proponents of greater AI integration argue that it could help address the decline in empathy often observed as medical students advance in their training. Administrative demands tend to shorten patient interactions, reducing opportunities for meaningful communication. By automating routine documentation, AI could free up time to focus on the human elements of care, fostering stronger patient-doctor relationships.

One medical student recounted an experience with a patient initially resistant to a lifesaving procedure. Through repeated personal interactions that extended beyond clinical notes—listening to the patient’s life story and concerns—trust was built, ultimately leading to the patient consenting to treatment. This example highlights the value of patient-centered care, which advocates believe could be enhanced by thoughtful AI deployment in healthcare.

As AI tools become more widespread, training future physicians to balance technological assistance with empathetic patient care will be crucial in shaping a healthcare environment where clinical efficiency and human connection coexist.